City profile
Hempstead, NY
Nassau County · Population 58,801
Hempstead is a city in Nassau County, NY with about 58,801 residents and a typical home value near $460,000. It is 20 miles from New York City, NY, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
35°F
Summer avg
77°F
Sunny days / yr
230
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$459,500
Typical monthly housing
$3,086
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
141
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.54%
- State income tax (top)
- 10.9%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.53%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 97/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Ice storm, Coastal flooding
Nearest major airport
10 mi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 48% Democratic / 52% Republican
Community
Population
58,801
Black population
45.0%
County
Nassau County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving NY than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms, high taxes
Highlights
- About 58,801 residents
- Typical home value about $460,000
- 20 miles from New York City, NY
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.